Sweden, once known for its tranquility and safety, is now grappling with an escalating wave of gang-related violence that left the nation in shock. This surge in crime, described by Police Commissioner Anders Thornberg as ‘unprecedented terrorist-like violence,’ has been years in the making, according to experts.
The majority of both victims and perpetrators are of migrant background, many born and raised in Sweden to migrant parents. These individuals often reside in underprivileged areas where crime is seen as a fast track to wealth, power, and status.
Alarmingly, children are increasingly being drawn into these criminal gangs, lured by the promise of a life far beyond what they could achieve within the confines of the law.
The 'terrorist-like' gangland violence gripping Sweden: How feud between druglords Kurdish Fox and Strawberry has spiralled into executions and bomb attacks… as military wades in and PM blames 'parallel societies'
via https://t.co/Z9KOv5oseR https://t.co/W9LaJnqrK8— Edward Oakenfull (@EdwardOakenful1) October 2, 2023
In September alone, 12 people lost their lives due to this escalating violence. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, in response to the crisis, announced that the military would be given greater authority to assist the police in combating this crime wave.
This move marks a significant shift in Swedish policy, which previously prohibited military involvement in situations requiring force, barring instances of terrorist attacks or war.
The violence is not only unprecedented in Sweden but also across Europe. No other country is currently facing a situation quite like this, as stated by Prime Minister Kristersson.
He attributes the current state of affairs to political naivety, irresponsible immigration policies, and failed integration efforts. These factors have led to the creation of parallel societies, providing fertile ground for criminal gangs to recruit and train future killers.
The violence stems from a feud between two notorious gang leaders, Rawa Majid, known as the ‘Kurdish Fox’, and Mikael Tenezos, dubbed ‘The Greek’. Their rivalry over control of the lucrative drug market resulted in a series of violent crimes involving teenagers and young adults, both as offenders and victims.
Hello & it’s weekend folks !
Stockholm descended into the ‘Wild West’ on Wednesday as immigrant gangland violence gripped Swedens capital.
They were warned about ‘open doors’ but 🤷♂️Enoch Powell, Marine LePen, Geert Wilders were right after all but too late for Sweden . .🥴 pic.twitter.com/aWg54MhC3V
— Mr Pål Christiansen (@TheNorskaPaul) September 29, 2023
Sweden, once boasting one of the lowest gun violence deaths per capita in Europe, now tops the list with 2.5 times the European average.
The victims of this violence are often connected to the Foxtrot network run by ‘Kurdish Fox’ Rawa Majid. The perpetrators, on the other hand, are often young boys, radicalized into the criminal environment at a record speed.
The government’s response to this crisis includes measures such as stop-and-search zones, anonymous witnesses, and the right to extradite known gang members who are foreign nationals, even if they have not been found guilty of a crime.
However, these measures will take time to implement, and in the meantime, the violence continues unabated.
Sweden is facing an unprecedented wave of gangland violence that requires immediate and effective action. The government’s response, while a step in the right direction, may not be enough to curb the escalating violence.
